The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-23
The Next Congress.

The Fiftieth Congress will meet in less
than month from now On account of the
questions which it will be called upon to
settle it is the most important which has
been elected in several years, and by reason
of certain peculiarities of its composition its
action upon them is so uncertain as to
arouse much interest and cause considerable
anxiety The House is not only divided upon
party lines, but upon questions of fiscal
polcy-the opposing forces being nearly
equal in each division.
OF the 325 members of the House 16S will
be Democrats, 1913 Republicans and 4 indie
pendents--three of the latter with Republi-
can antecedents. 1t will be seen that the
Democrats have clear majority of only II.
1t will require a discipline stricter and
more exacting than has been en-
forced of late years by the Democratic eau
Gus to make SO slim a majority always
effective. On division upon a question
affecting the principle of protection by ex-
cessively high tariff duties, as now prac
ticed, the count would perhaps be as close
as upon party lines, though there is no way
| to determine this positively. A small num-
vote with their party enemies, while, per-
| haps, an equal number of Republicans
would support Democratic motion to re-
duce the tariff taxes
In the Senate the weight of the opposing
parties is even more nearly balanced than
in the House, there being thirty-nine Re
| publicans and thirty-seven Democrats
Among the Republicans, however, is count
ed Mr.. Riddleberger, whose conduct has
been so eccentric and animosity toward GER
tain leading Republican Senators so great,
that they cannot with any certainty depend
upon his vote. Among the Democrats, or
the other hand, are counted the Senators
elect from Indiana and West Virginia
about whose certificates there are IRREGULAR
ties which the Republicans may seize upon
as a sufficient preteXt to exclude them from
their seats. 1t is hardly probable they will
be so bold, but they may venture upon such
action in order to retain undisputed control
1t will be seen that the parties are so
nearly equal in both branches of Congress
that any bill representing party policy will
meet with strong, and unless discipline is
strictly maintained, successful opposition
The question of first Importance which
| will come before this Congress is the aboli-
ton % unnecessary taxation. The piling
up in the Treasury of an immense surplus
has already alarmed the business commu-
nifty to the verge of panic, and it has been
| necessary to resort to eXpedients, which
would be open to criticism We're the circum-
stances less urgent, to keep the millions I'M
necessarily collected within reach of trade
demands. The future policy of the govern
ment is involved in the settlement of this
| question, which can no longer be deferred.
Another great question which will come
before this Congress, and which may be
said to in some degree hinge upon the dis
position made of the surplus problem, is the
demand so loudly made for largely increased
| pensions to ex-Union soldiers. The Repub-
licans would no doubt be willing to con-
tinue the collection OF S100,000000 above
the needs Of the Treasury annually, and
divide it with liberal hand among pension
ers. This policy would obviate the neces-
sity of tariff reform. In the pension ques-
ton the South is peculiarly interested as,
though it pays its full share Of the taxes.
none of the money comes back. 1t is both
absolutely and relatively weakened by the
drain.
These are only two of tho many impor-
tant subjects which will come up for discus
sion and action, and it is to be regretted
that the Democratic party in Congress is so
hampered that it may find it impossible to
enforce its policy in its entirety. There was
never time in the partys history when it
more needed firm, but conservative, leader
ship.